Container



M. C. REGAN May 3, 1938.

CONTAINER Filed Deo. 4, 1936 @LMC @M Patented May 3, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE z,11c,o41

CONTAINER Mieneel c. nenn, canon, N. J. Appueeuen Deeember 4, 193s, serien No. 114,230 sciame. (ci. zoe-5s) My invention relates to improvements in containers for pills, plastics, fluids and the like.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a flexible transparent container having an opening in the upper end thereof which `will open when pressure is'applied to the side edges of the container and which will automatically close and be sealed when pressure is removed.

l Another object is the provision of a flexible transparent container having a positively sealed slotted opening in the upper end thereof which will be opened and closed by the application of pressure to and removal of pressure from the side 1i edges of the container.

Another object is the provision of a flexible transparent container having an opening in the upper end with a sliding handle member mounted on the side edges thereof whereby tension on zu the handle closes and seals the opening.

A further object is to provide a flexible container having compartments with sliding plunger means therein for forcing materials out of the compartments when a sealed slotted opening in 25 the upper end of the'container has been opened by the application of pressure to the side edges thereof.

A further object is the provision of a flexible transparent self-closing container with a remov- 30 able base having means therein for supporting flowers or other articles in upright position in the container.

`A further object is the provision of a permanent iiexible transparent self closing container which is adapted for use with solids, liquids, cosmetics and the like.

Other and more specific objects and advantages will be apparent as the specification is considered with the accompanying drawing in which:

40 Figure 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of container;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the form of container shown in Figure 1;

a Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section through the self closing sealed opening, taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a section through a sliding handle clamp, taken along the line 5--5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6is a section through a modified form of sliding handle clamp;

Figure 'l is a section through an embodiment of the container having a partition plate and a sleeve for securing the4 lower edges of the container together;

Figure 8 is-a perspective view of the form of sleeve shown in Figure 'l for securing the lower edges of the container walls together;

Figure 9 is an enlarged section of the removable base member of Figure 1; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged section of a modiiled form of a double base member.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 10 wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, numeral I designates the preferred form of container comprised of two preferably outwardly curved or bulged sheets or shells 2 of ilexible transparent 15 mecolite material. The side edges of the sheets are cupped or curved inwardly, as at 3, which edges are positioned one within the other, in the manner shown in Figure 3, whereby the cupped edges are caused to bear against or frictionally engage each other due to the outward spring aotion or resiliency of the mecolite material, thus forming tightly sealed joints 4 along the side edges of the container. Metal strips 5 or the like are preferably positioned over and suitably secured to the joints to strengthen the same and" enhance the appearance of the container, and if desired, the cupped edges may be adhered together by a suitable adhesive or cement. These strips also offer a good gripping surface for the thumb and fingers; serve to protect the overlapping side edges and to evenly distribute pressure exerted in opening the mouth of the container,

as will be explained hereinafter.

A base member or support 6 of flexible trans- 35 parent mecolite material is provided with a substantially flat top Wall 1 and a side wall 8 having outwardly and downwardly extending portions 9 and lli, respectively, formed thereon, the latter portion being preferably provided with a laterally 4o extending supporting flange il. The base is positioned within the open lower end of the container I, whereby the outer ends I2 of the wall sheets 2 are caused to tightly grip against the side base wall B and seat upon the outwardly ex' 45 tending `wall portion 9, thus forming a tight seal between the container and base thereby securely maintaining the base member in position. While the base is tightly secured in position, it will of course be understood, that the same may be readily removed by the application of downward pressure to the outwardly extending side portions thereof, in an obvious manner. If desired the base may be flxedly secured to the wall by any suitable means.

The upper portions of the container walls are rounded or curved, as at I3, and formed with upwardly and inwardly bent lip portions i4, the outer end or tip l5 of one of said lips being slidingly received within the tip Il of the other of said lips whereby a tight and flexible seal is provided at the upper or mouth end of the container. By applying pressure to the metal strips 5, affixed to the side points 4, the lip portions I4 are expanded or forced outwardly thus causing the tips I5 and I6 to become disengaged or freed from each other and opening or spreading into the open position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. In this open position, the contents of the container can be readily removed, or other contents inserted. When pressure is removed from the strips or side joints, the tips i5 and I5 are caused to snap back into locking or sealing engagement with each other, as previously explained, thereby tightly sealing the lips of the container. Thus it will be noted that pressure exerted on the side walls of the container will not force the tips open in the manner described, but on the contrary will serve to tighten the grip or seal between the tips, thereby minimizing the possibility of the container being opened by the accidental application of pressure to the sides thereof.

In the preferred form of container illustrated in Figures l and 2, the outer edges of the walls 2 on the curved upper ends Il thereof, between the lip portions and the upper ends of the Joints 4, are bent or flared outwardly to form a substantially round raised bead l1 on both sides of the lip portions. A metal clamp I8 having outwardly and oppositely curved walls l! forming a pocket or opening 20 is mounted on each of said beads l'i whereby the curved walls I3 of the clamp will ilt over and be slidingly receivedon the curved walls of the beads. Apertures 2l are formed in the outer ends 20 of the clamps for the reception of the outer ends of a metal bail or handle member 22 of any desired shape. To open the container the handle clamps I8 are moved to the lower ends of the beads and pressure applied to the joints 4 in the manner previously mentioned, whereupon the lips will be spread apart. When the lips are in closed or sealed position, the handle is drawn upwards thus causing the clamps to move upwardly on the beads thereby tightly sealing and locking the beads and lips in their closed position. This arrangement is particularly desirable where the container is used for liquids as a positive sealkthus assured.

A modified form ofhandle clamp is shown in Figure 6, wherein the outer edges of the container walls 2 on the curved upper ends I3 thereof, are bent or inverted in substantially the form of a crescent or U 23, which ends tightly fit within each other. A similarly shaped crescent shaped metal clamp 24 is slidingly positioned on both of said bent portions 23 thereby pressing the ends together and formingA an air tight seal. The clamps are slidingly moved upwardly on the bent end portions 23 of the walls 2 by the upward movement of a handle member connected to` the clamps, in the manner heretofore described, thus tightly sealing and locking the ends and lips in closed position.

In the modified form of container illustrated in Figure 7 side walls 25 of flexible transparent mecolite are relatively flat and the lower ends thereof are bent inwardly and pressed together, as at 26. A bulged or rounded metal sleeve 21, having flattened side portions 28 is positioned on and suitably adhered to the flattened ends 2i by means of an adhesive or the like, not shown. Thus it will be seen that a very tight and compact seal at the lower end of the container is provided. 'I'he upper end of the container walls 25 are curved inwardly to form lip portions 29 with overlapping tips 30 on the outer ends thereof, which tightly fit within each other and function in the same manner as the tips of the container shown in Figures 1 and 2. A relatively flat partition plate 3i oi. transparent mecolite is arranged in the container with the lower end 32 thereof interposed 'between and held in position by the flattened ends 25 of the container walls, and sleeve clamp 26, and the upper end of the partition extends into and abuts the inner faces of the'tips', thereby dividing the container into two compartments 33 and 34. A relatively wide plug or plunger 35 of suitable shape is preferably positioned in the lower end of each compartment. It is ofcourse understood that the side edges of the container walls 25' are provided with joints, as heretofore described, and that the lips are spread or forced apart by the application of pressure to the side joints. The compartmentsmay be filled with diierent materials, such as pills, cosmetics, and the like, and when the lips are in open position, the plungers 35 may be moved upwardly in their respective compartments by applying pressure to the sides of the container walls beneath the plungers, thus causing the plungers to force or move the contents upwardly to the open end of the container. When the desired amount of materials have been removed therefrom, pressure is removed from the plungers causing the walls to spring outwardly and resume their normal position thus creating a vacuum in the space beneath the plungers which draws the plungers back into the lower ends of their respective compartments.

If desired the partition plate may be decorated by coloring or the like to enhance the appearance of the containenor the same may have a sheet or sheets of instructions or directions suitably affixed thereto so as to advise the user how to operate the container. Thus it will be seen that the partition serves to strengthen or brace the container walls in addition to separating and segregating the contents of the container.

In Figure 8 of the drawing. the lower ends of the container walls 25 are pressed together and bulged or curved outwardly, as at 35, to form a bead 31, over which is clamped the metal sleeve 21, as shown in Figure 7. This construction assures a stronger seal or joint at the lower end of the container.

The container is also adaptable for use with flowers and the like, in which instance the container is enlarged, and the base or bottom i is provided with a correspondingly shaped inverted shell 6 with the outwardly extending supporting flanges Ii suitably adhered or amxed together, thus forming a somewhat shallow hollow recess or chamber 35 in the base, as shown ln Figure 10.r The substantially flat top wall 1 of the upper base member 8 is provided with a suitable slot or opening 39 through which the stems or stalks of flowers and the like, not shown, are adapted to extend, whereby the flowers are supported in upright position within the container, in an obvious manner.

In Figure 9 another form of base plate is shown, wherein the side edges 40 are upturned to fit within and engage the lower ends of the container walls 2. The substantially flat bottom wall 4i of the base is bent upwardly or buckled asat 42, 75

adjacent the side edges thereof, which buckled or bent portion strengthens the bottom wall of. the base and also imparts an outward or lateral pressure on the side edges 40, thus causing the latter to tightly engage or grip the container walls and hold the base securely in position.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that my improved flexible transparent mecolite container is readily adapted for a plurality of uses without changing the structural features thereof. And while I have shown a preferred form and several embodiments, which have proved very satisfactory in use, it is to be understood that many changes in shape and details of arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A container and the like comprising sheets of flexible transparent material having the side edges thereof overlapped and flexibly joined together, a flexible transparent base member re movably positioned in the lower ends of said sheets, and the upper ends of. said sheets being curved and fitted one within the other to form a tight seal for said container, said sealed lip portions being adapted to be opened by the application of pressure to the side edges. of said sheets.

2. A container and the like comprising sheets of flexible transparent material having the side edges thereof overlapped and flexibly joined together, a ilexible transparent base member positionedin the lower ends of said sheets, and the upper ends of said sheets being curved and fitted one within the other to form a tight seal for said container, said Ysealed lip portions being adapted means for positively locking said self-closing lip portions.

sheets of flexible transparent material having the side edges thereof overlapped and flexibly joined together, a flexible transparent base member positioned in the lower ends of said sheets, and the upper ends of said sheets having curved lip portions thereon fitting one Within the other to form a tight seal, said lip portions being adapted to be opened by the application of pressure to the jointed side edges of said sheets, and handle means slidably mounted on the upper ends of said sheets for positively locking said self-closing lip portions.

4. A container for pills and the like comprising sheets of flexible material having the side edges thereof overlapped and joined together, clamp means for joining the lower ends of. said sheets together, and the upper ends of said sheets having curved lip portions thereon fitting one within the other to form a tight seal, said sealed lip portions being adapted to be opened by the application of pressure to the jointed side edges of said sheets and resume their normal closed sealed position when pressure is released and a partition wall interposed between said sheets for dividing said container into compartments.

5. A container for pills and the like comprising sheets of flexible material having the side edges thereof overlapped and joined together, means aixed to said edges for protecting said portions, a flexible transparent base member removably positioned in the lower ends of said sheets, and

the upper ends of said sheets having Vcurved lip portions thereon fitting one within the other to form a tight seal, said lip portions being adapted to be opened by the application of pressure to the jointed side edges of. said sheets and to resume their normal closed sealed position when pressure is released, and means in said base member for maintaining the contents in upright position.

MICHAEL C. REGAN. 

